(Courtesy photo)
Frank Dittrich
Frank Dittrich, general manager of the Inn at Erlowest on Lake George and a larger-than-life figure in Warren County tourism, died Monday, sending shockwaves through the local hospitality industry. He was 65 years old.
Dittrich was married to Kathleen (Kenny) Dittrich, sister of Dave Kenny, the local real estate developer and hotelier. The Kenny family owns more than 1,000 rooms in Warren County.
“Frank was one of the most brilliant men I have ever met,” said Sam Luciano, president and general manager of the Fort William Henry and a close friend of Dittrich.
“Over the years, he took great pride in his property and services. His hospitality was second to none and helped move Warren County to the top of New York destinations. He was very involved in the community as he served on many boards, attended most meetings, and contributed on every level.”
Mark Behan, president of Behan Communications, who has worked closely with Dittrich and other hotel owners in Warren County, said, “He was brilliant, funny, dogged, hilariously candid and completely allergic to baloney, a delightful person who, even in retirement from his position as a senior corporate finance executive, often came to hospitality conference calls a few minutes late, with apologies, because he had been cleaning guest toilets or doing laundry. We will miss him so much.”
Behan said Dittrich was one of the local business leaders who founded the Warren County Lodging Association. Behan added that Dittrich cared deeply for his own family’s businesses and about others as well.
“Frank recognized that to attract, house, feed and entertain visitors, each business depends on many other businesses and all rise and fall together,” Behan said. “During COVID, he designed a systematic cleaning and sanitization protocol to help local restaurants and businesses keep their employees and guests safe. Frank’s system kept many businesses open and staffed and helped them survive the pandemic.”
Lake Luzerne town supervisor Gene Merlino, who chairs the Warren County Board of Supervisors tourism committee, echoed Behan’s sentiments, noting that he and Dittrich didn’t always see eye-to-eye.
“We were always respectful. We have lost a real gentleman. He was an asset to Warren County, he was an asset to the Lake George Chamber and CVB, and he was an asset to tourism,” Merlino said.
Merlino said Dittrich was seemingly everywhere, attending meetings and gatherings and networking with others in the hospitality industry, and, as others said, Dittrich spoke plainly.
“You always got a straight answer from Frank. There was no dancing around. Maybe that’s why we got along. That’s how I am. But this is a sad time for so many, especially tough during the holiday season,” Merlino said.
Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and Convention Visitors Bureau, said he was known to help many and could put himself in the other person’s position to understand their concerns.
“His legacy is that he was the man in our business community that touched many people to ensure their success. He did this in a way that made each person feel as if they were the most important person in the world on a phone call, at a meeting and in any type of connection,” Mintzer said.
From the moment he arrived in Warren County “as an owner, partner, in several hospitality entities, he jumped right into the family businesses, the hospitality industry, and the community at large despite his ‘retirement’ from the banking industry. He was talented, intelligent, experienced, passionate, generous and kind. We were fortunate to have him here.”
Calling hours are Friday, Dec. 16, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Singleton Sullivan Potter Funeral Home, 407 Bay Road in Queensbury. A reception will follow at 7 p.m. at the Inn at Erlowest, 3178 Lake Shore Drive in Lake George.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Ronald McDonald House Family Retreat at Krantz Collage in lake George. Checks may be mailed to RMHC of the Capital Region, 139 S. Lake Ave., Albany, NY12208, or donations may be made online at rmhcofalbany,org.
According to his obituary, Dittrich is survived by his wife Kathleen (Kenny) Dittrich; three children Thomas Dittrich and Caitlin Dittrich of Charleston, SC, and Paul (Carla) Dittrich of Pittsburgh, PA; two grandchildren, Briella and Connor Dittrich; his mother, Carol (Couch) Dittrich of Syracuse; and sisters Lisa Dittrich and Linda Dittrich.